The end is coming! I hope you all don't think I'm deliberately rushing through this. That isn't my intention. I'm just going forward with Ben/Kylo and Saya's side of the story rather than focus on everyone else as well. All POV's will be from Ben/Kylo and Saya from here on out.
Hope you all are enjoying! Please review and give feedback!
Chapter 26
Hux used his cane to pathetically limp to the command post. The pain was quite real but he still had to suppress a smile. Kylo had, once again, lost his wife to the Resistance. Good. Soon enough, Hux would find a way to discreetly kill him.
He hobbled into the post and was met with not Kylo Ren, but General Pryde. The old man was pacing in front of the windows impatiently. When Hux finally entered the room, he stopped pacing and glared at Hux.
"What happened!?" He demanded to know.
Hux, again, suppressed his longing to laugh and put on an angry look
"They overpowered my men! I was trying to stop them from going into the loading bay when they shot me!"
Pryde narrowed his eyes at Hux. "And how did their droid get into their ship before they reached it?"
Hux went pale and struggled for words. Before he could think of an excuse, Pryde withdrew his blaster and swiftly shot Hux in the chest.
"Tell the Supreme Leader I found and eliminated the spy"
Those were the last words Hux ever heard.
-!-!-!
Chewie brought the ship out of light speed and the team tried to breathe and relax from the ordeal they just survived. But frustration ran through the ship.
Poe was pacing back and forth in the room while everyone sat around, clearly tired and at a loss for what to do next.
"Well, the mission was a success. But now we're kind of dead in the water. What do we do now?"
The team was successful in saving Chewie and Bayard while also retrieving the knife. But they still had no idea where the map they were seeking was. The knife held no clues to its location. They only knew it was the key to retrieving the map.
They were all silent for several moments until a thought ran through Saya's head. Words Kylo Ren had said to her back on his ship.
"A loyalist who was serving the last known Sith lord, before the Empire fell on the battle of Endor"
Saya grabbed the knife from her belt and stared down at it.
The Empire fell on the battle of Endor
Saya didn't realize everyone heard her and was surprised when everyone turned to look at her.
"What did you say?" Finn asked.
Saya stood, holding the knife.
What if… this knife was Palpatine's? Maybe he had the knife and the map with him when the Empire fell.
They all were quiet in contemplation.
"If your right, then were still out of luck. Palpatine was first thought to be killed on the Death Star. And the Death Star was destroyed" Poe replied. Saya heard no hope in his voice.
Completely? There's no trace of it left?
"No idea. I mean, there may be scraps left."
On Endor? Wasn't that where the battle took place?
Poe shrugged. "Kind of. The Death Star was positioned over the planet when it was destroyed. Endor had the shield generators that needed to be destroyed before piolets could bring the base down."
Well can't we go look? There might be SOME clue there! We have nothing else to lose and no other leads!
Everyone looked to one another and shrugged. Saya was right and they knew it. Poe and Chewie rushed up to the cock pit and quickly set to navigating the ship. Saya walked over and sat next to Rey.
Are you alright?
Rey still looked pale and Saya could see her shaking slightly.
"I think so… I keep having this terrible feeling inside me. I feel like something inside me is trying to tear its way out of me…"
It took Saya everything she had not to tell Rey the truth then and there. But she had no idea how Rey would respond. No, she would tell her another time. Perhaps when this was all over.
Saya opted to instead hug her friend.
It's ok. This will all be over soon.
Rey hugged her back and nodded. Saya couldn't deny the feeling of dread that was filling her as well.
-!-!-!
Kylo returned to his room for much needed time alone. General Pryde had taken care of Hux. He shouldn't be surprised he leaked the information to the Resistance. Good riddance to him. Hux was lucky that it was Pryde who executed him. Kylo would have made his death slower and more painful.
He removed his helmet and stared down at the destroyed remains of his grandfather's helmet. Part of him wanted to be angry at Saya for what she had done. But in the end, he knew it was his own fault. He had been pushing Saya more and more to the Dark Side. It was only natural she would unleash some of that anger out on him in some way.
His thoughts trailed off in several different directions when a strong, deep voice entered his mind.
"The Jedi still lives… the Jedi and Grey Jedi religions are still alive… perhaps you do not want the Empire I am willing to give you…"
Kylo clenched his fists
"Saya will turn and the scavenger will die!"
"I could feel the Mahjai's anger even from here… one more push, and it will be done… kill the scavenger and bring the Mahjai to me… They seek the last map to the home of the Sith… the map that I carried with me when I last fell… Get to Endor and stop them before you lose your chance!"
Kylo felt the voice leave him and he gritted his teeth. He didn't need the old man's voice in his head to tell him things he already knew. Saya was close to releasing her anger. She did only need one last push. He would bring her over to his side completely. Perhaps he could even push her to kill the scavenger.
It didn't matter. He could also easily do it. All of this will end soon.
Kylo swiftly turned and exited his room. It was time to go to Endor.
-!-!-!
They landed in the large field and swiftly exited the ship. C3-PO was given orders to stay on the ship while the team followed the wind up a small hill. It was cold and wet but the team pushed on. As soon as they reached the top of the large hill, Saya's eyes went wide in wonder.
Water was crashing against what looked like the remains of large parts of a broken down base.
Is this… an ocean?
"Yeah… just not a very pretty one" Poe said in grief
Saya wanted to break down and cry. Her first time seeing the ocean and it was here and like this. Ben was nowhere near her let alone showing her one for the first time. And this was nothing like she thought an ocean would look like. There was no warm sun or sand. It was cold with no sun and ugly, crashing waves.
Saya wiped her tears away and they all jumped at the sound of hoofs. The team turned with blasters raised to see a group of people on large horses. Though they seemed to be much larger than regular horses.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?"
The woman who spoke was leading the group. Saya assumed she was the leader of her group of people.
Rey stepped forward.
"Were with the Resistance. Were here looking for a map that will help us end this war"
The woman and her group looked over the small team.
"It's been a long time since I've seen some real hope. Can it really end the war?"
"It's possible. Please, we need to get to the remains of the Death Star!"
The woman dropped off her horse and walked to the team, who had already lowered their weapons. She looked over to the ocean with the large waves crashing against the remains of the Death Star.
"We can get you there, but not until tomorrow morning. The waves are too dangerous to try and cross right now."
Saya could see the aggravation on Rey's face. Both of the wanted to end all of this once and for all.
"My name is Jannah. You are welcome to stay with us until morning. There's water speeders down on the shoreline we can use when it's safe."
Rey looked to Saya who gave her a sad look.
It's only one more day Rey. Then we can go.
Poe, Finn, and Chewie shuffled behind the group as they began walking down the hill. The men, even Chewie, had to hustle to keep up with the group of people on the large horse-like creatures. Saya began to turn to follow but felt Rey's hand on her arm.
"Saya, let's go"
Saya looked at her for a moment, then to the group walking away.
"We have to do this, now! I know you feel the same way!"
Saya thought for a moment then turned to look at the waves hitting the remains of the Death Star.
"Saya, Please!"
She took a breath, then nodded at her friend. Rey gave her a small smile and Saya turned to Bayard.
Stay here. We will be back soon. Please, protect them if anything happens.
She could tell Bayard looked annoyed but huffed and he walked away. The girls looked down the hill and saw the group of people walking away were too wrapped up in their own conversations to notice the girls had stayed behind. Good.
Saya and Rey ran down the hill in the opposite direction and saw the water speeders.
Can you drive one of these?
Rey and Saya jumped inside one and Rey revved the engine.
"It's a lot like a regular land speeder. We just need to hold on! This won't be easy!"
Saya couldn't deny the feeling of dread that filled her as Rey began navigating the speeder. She placed her hand protectively over the Sith knife that was on her belt and used her other hand to hold onto a handle inside of the speeder.
Wave after wave hit the girls but Rey was able to navigate the ship through the crashing water. They were both soaking wet and shivering. Saya risked a glance back to the shoreline.
The men had finally noticed they were gone and Saya could see them frantically waving and screaming for them to turn back.
Saya shivered and turned around as another wave crashed over them. After what felt like an eternity, Rey steered the speeder inside of the Death Star remains. Rey pulled them up to a safe area and both girls hopped off the speeder. They were soaking wet and shivering from the cold.
The remains of the Death Star were surprisingly still well intact. Cords and wires were hanging all over the ceiling. Helmets of long dead Stormtroopers were all over the place.
"Where do we even begin to look?"
Maybe we could try splitting up? We can cover more ground that way.
Rey nodded and the girls split up. Saya quickly decided to climb up to the next level of the base and slowly made her way down the hall. She had to carefully navigate through the hall to avoid the random holes in the floor. Despite this only being a piece of the Death Star, it was still huge with many places to search. Saya couldn't help but wonder just how big the Death Star was before it was destroyed.
She climbed up to another floor and began searching again. Saya couldn't hide her aggravation. This place was huge and she didn't even know what exactly they were looking for. Maps could come in many forms, not just a piece of paper. She was praying they would find some kind of clue, if not the map.
After turning down another hallway, a chill went up her spine.
"Saya"
She jumped at the sound of her name and frantically looked around. It was a voice she swore she had heard before, but couldn't place it.
"Saya…this way…"
She hesitated but slowly followed the voice. Her hand was over her lightsaber, ready to withdraw it and fight at a moment's notice. The voice led her further down the hall and she turned to enter a room.
Pieces of debris and broken glass were all over the place. There was a large window to the far side of the room that was broken. In front of the window looked to be a large broken chair. Saya could only assume it belonged to someone in power. Possibly Palpatine.
"Saya… here…"
Her head whipped over to the far side wall. A small doorway led into a very dark room. She made her way over to it, carefully walking to not trip on the random debris on the floor. She entered the room and saw a large box against the wall.
Approaching it caused a sharp chill to go down her spine. The box was large with random carvings all around it. Saya swiftly grabbed the knife from her belt and compared the writing on the knife to the writing on the box. It looked very similar.
In the middle of the box was a large slit that dived into it. Very slowly, Saya took the knife and slid it inside. A perfect fit. This had to be it.
Carefully, Saya turned the knife and she heard a loud clicking noise. The box suddenly sprang open and Saya jumped back. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest. After a moment, she stepped forward and looked inside.
Right in the center of the box was a small device. She carefully picked it up and examined it. The device had a slight glow to it and was in the shape of a triangle. The inside looked to be made of glass. Peering into it, she swore she could see a small trail across the glass.
This had to be it. The map to Exogol.
She smiled but it was short lived. Suddenly, darkness seemed to envelope the room. She frantically looked around and was startled to see a cloaked figure just a few feet away from her. The figure looked up and Saya felt her blood run cold.
It was her. She was the figure in the black cloak. But her eyes seemed darker and her expression was hard.
"I told you before… Don't deny the darkness inside of you"
That was it. The voice that was leading her here. It was her own. She was just too stupid to realize it.
Her double suddenly withdrew her lightsaber and ignited it. It was red. Bright red. With one hand, Saya quickly withdrew her own lightsaber and ignited it just as her double came at her. She was hardly able to dodge the attacks as she desperately tried to hold onto the map.
Both women suddenly locked lightsabers and Saya stared into the eyes of her double. They were inches apart.
Her double gave her an evil smile.
"This is who you are meant to be"
The double broke the connection of their lightsabers and gave Saya a swift kick in her chest, sending her flying backwards. She dropped hard onto her back and the map went flying from her hand. Her double was suddenly gone and the light had returned.
She frantically stood, desperately trying to find the map. But it wasn't hard to find. She looked over just as a large gloved hand was picking it up.
Saya quickly stood and faced Kylo Ren.
He looked to the map in his hand then looked to Saya, who was panicking slightly. She had no idea what to do.
"Saya… look at yourself. You're trying so hard to prove yourself as a Jedi. But the Dark Side is inside you. Just as it's inside me."
Saya took a breath.
Give me the map
He took a step towards her but still held the map close to him.
"There is power beyond comprehension inside of you. Power that belongs to the Dark Side. You know it. You can feel it. Can you go back and face the Resistance knowing that? Can you return to my mother knowing that? You can't go back to her now. Like I can't"
Saya gritted her teeth and tried to suppress her anger.
That's a lie and you know it! Your mother loves you! She's waiting for you to come home! To come home to both of us!
He shook his head, his eyes never leaving hers.
"It's too late. For me and for you. Come to me. Give in to the Dark Side. I'll help you harness your powers to their full potential"
Kylo Ren, give me the map!
His eyes hardened and she felt his anger rise.
"Saya… the only way you're getting to Exogol is with me"
Without any hesitation, Kylo clenched his fist around the map and crushed it into pieces.
Her heart dropped and she felt tears in her eyes. He crushed it. The map they all worked so hard to find was now crushed into pieces on the floor.
"NO!"
The loud scream startled Saya but Kylo was ready. A blue lightsaber swung at his head but he easily dodged it and was able to force some distance between himself and Rey. She was panting and sweating, her anger rolling off of her in waves.
"Why!? Why would you do it!?" Rey screamed at Kylo.
He glared hard at Rey, his anger rolling off of him as well. He cast a glance at Saya.
"I guess I was wrong. You told her the truth and she still stands beside you"
Saya felt a rush of fear as Rey gave her a confused look.
"What truth? What is he talking about?"
Kylo raised a brow. "So you haven't told her? You haven't told your friends the truth?"
Saya began shaking, trying to think of the right words to say to Rey. But Kylo was a lot faster.
"Saya didn't tell you of our bond? Of how I found you on Volrath? And at the village festival?"
Rey blinked. "You had spies. That's how you found us…"
Kylo had a glint in his eyes. Saya began to panic.
"I found her because of our bond. It's how I've found you several times now. I found Saya on Volrath because of the costume she was wearing. I found her in the village because of the necklace she was wearing. I caught her aboard my base because she was holding the knife I had in my room. We could connect and see each other whenever we pleased. We've been connected all this time"
Rey's head whipped around and she glared at Saya.
"Is it true? Were you both connected this entire time?"
Saya felt tears fall from her eyes.
I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… I didn't know how to tell you!
Rey's lightsaber dropped and she looked at Saya with a mixture of sadness and anger.
"Has Saya told you the truth about yourself? Of your family?"
Both girl's heads whipped around and stared at Kylo, who was standing tall with a smirk on his face.
"What truth? I already know and accept who my parents are!"
Kylo cast another glance at Saya, who was shaking and crying.
Ben… please don't…
Kylo looked back to Rey
"I told Saya the truth about your parents aboard my ship. I expected her to tell you. I was wrong. Your parents were nobody. They left you on Jakku to hide you from the one looking for you. You don't have the power of the Jedi… you have the power of the Sith"
Rey began shaking in anger.
"You're wrong! I'm a Jedi! I don't-"
Kylo cut her off. "You have the power of your great-grandfather, the most powerful Sith in history. You are a Palpatine."
The room was quiet for several moments. Cold tears trailed down Saya's cheeks.
"You're lying! It's not true!"
Kylo continued to stand tall.
"The only one who has lied to you is Saya"
Rey whipped back around to glare at Saya.
"Is it true!? Did you know the truth and not tell me!?"
Saya took a step towards Rey.
I was going to tell you! When this was all over! I swear I was!
Rey began to silently cry and shake.
"You knew I was suffering! You knew I was conflicted and you didn't tell me!"
Saya tried to take another step towards Rey but she took a step away from her.
I was going to tell you! I swear-
"I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY FRIEND!" Rey screamed at Saya, angry tears streaming down her face.
Saya silently cried.
Rey, please! I am your friend! I was going to tell you the truth! I swear!
Rey began to silently sob.
"She didn't tell you because she was afraid of you casting her out" Kylo said to Rey
Saya glared at Kylo
Stop this! Stop being so cruel!
He ignored her and kept speaking to Rey
"She was afraid of you and what you are. What you are meant to be"
Rey wiped her tears away. "And what am I?"
"A Sith"
Saya frantically looked to Rey.
That's not true! You are who you choose to be!
"You're a Sith like your great-grandfather! That's who you are!"
Rey, that's not true!
"You are nothing but the product of Palpatine's bloodline! You are nothing but a tool for him to use!"
Rey snapped and screamed. She charged at Kylo with her lightsaber. But Saya was just as fast. With lightning speed, Saya ignited her lightsaber and stopped the blow that Kylo would have received. Rey glared at Saya, who was still trying to push her lightsaber forward to strike Kylo. But Saya was now standing between them with her own blocking Rey's attack.
Saya took a step forward, pushing Rey back a bit.
Rey, stop!
Rey continued to glare at Saya.
"Why are you defending him!? He's the enemy!"
Saya heard Kylo take a step forward.
"Because I'm the only one who will ever understand her. The only one she has. While you have nobody"
Rey screamed and initiated another attack. Saya blocked it, desperately trying to disarm Rey to stop the fighting. Saya was able to sidestep Rey and get some distance.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of red and Kylo began to swing at Rey.
NO, DON'T!
With another sidestep, Saya blocked Kylo's attack from hitting Rey.
STOP THIS! BOTH OF YOU!
Rey gave Saya a swift kick and sent her flying to the floor. Rey and Kylo were now engaged in battle. Saya quickly stood and rushed forward. She used her lightsaber to block their attacks from each other. With a blast of his hand, Kylo sent Saya flying back and she landed right into the large chair in the room. Rey gave a yell in frustration as she jumped out of the broken window. Kylo swiftly followed, obviously intent on killing her.
Saya was quick to stand and follow the both of them out of the window. She had to stop herself from dropping down into the water. She stepped onto the small ledge outside and looked up. She saw the flashes of Red and Blue on the top of the Death Star remains. She took a breath and leapt up to find them.
Wave after wave of water hit the remains of the base and was causing it to rock back and forth. Saya was once again drenched in water as the waves crashed against the rocking remains. She ignored the chill in the air and charged forward. She needed to end this. She didn't want to lose either of them.
After rushing forward, she found the both of them fighting at the end of the remains. Ahead of them was what looked to be a large Emperial fighter. It must have been Kylo's ship.
STOP! PLEASE! BOTH OF YOU STOP!
She ran towards them but suddenly felt a sharp pain in her chest.
"Ben"
The voice echoed all around them. A voice they all knew. Kylo froze and turned, as if seeking out the voice. Rey took advantage of his hesitation. She grabbed his lightsaber and ignited it right through his side. Saya dropped to her knees in horror and anguish.
Kylo dropped to the ground as Rey also stood frozen. The voice was Leia's. She was reaching out to her son. A final desperate plea.
Then, she was gone. All three of them felt her presence disappear. Not just from this place, but from the galaxy. She was gone. Leia was gone.
Saya completely sobbed as Rey stared down at Kylo in pity. He propped himself up against the side rail of the base, also looking confused and in pain. Rey looked up to Saya, soaking wet but with tears falling from her eyes.
"I thought you were my friend"
Without another word, Rey ran up and jumped into Kylo's ship.
Rey, please wait!
Saya ran forward but it was too late. Rey started the ship and began to fly it away from the remains and off the planet.
Saya stood soaking wet and trembling in front of Kylo, staring up into the sky where the ship had disappeared from view. She slowly lowered her head to look at Kylo. He was staring at the ground in dismay. It wasn't only the pain in his side he was feeling. It was loss. His mother was gone and he knew it.
She slowly knelt down next to him and placed her hand on his wound. Within moments, it was healed. Saya slowly looked back into his eyes and saw the slight light of hope inside of them. She stood back up and stared down at him, still sobbing.
You once told me you would do anything to make me happy. But that was a lie. Everything you do is for yourself. You have never once given me anything I wanted. Nothing to make me happy. Everything you have ever done has been for yourself. You will never sacrifice anything for me. Even after I've given you everything I had ever known.
Kylo stared at her in horror. She felt new emotions rise within him. But at the moment, she didn't care.
You don't love me. Kylo Ren has never loved me. Only my Ben has. And he's gone. All Kylo Ren has ever done is broken my heart.
She began taking steps back away from him but her eyes never left his. Her heart screamed in pain at her final words to him
I never want to see you again
She turned and ran, desperately wanting to get away from him. But in her own way, she was also running from her own broken heart. She blocked herself off from feeling any emotion coming off from him. She didn't want to know what he was feeling. She never again wanted to feel Kylo Ren's emotions.
Saya jumped back inside the Death Star and heard screaming.
"SAYA! REY!"
She instantly recognized the voices. It was Poe and Finn. She rushed out of the room and down the hall. The men saw her running down the hall and neither of them hid their anger.
"Saya! What the hell were you and Rey thinking!?" Poe snapped
Saya wiped her tears away.
We need to leave, now! We need to get back to base!
Finn frantically looked around.
"Where's Rey!?"
She's gone! She took a ship! We need to leave, now!
"What do you mean she-"
WE NEED TO LEAVE, NOW!
Saya had completely snapped and both men jumped. They heard the urgency in her voice. They were quick to follow her command and the group turned and charged to get out of the broken Death Star and into the water speeder.
Saya sobbed in pain the entire time.